Animal restraint

ABSTRACT

An animal restraint is disclosed for mitigating collar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal. The animal restraint includes a track housing defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. A plurality of loops are positioned on the exterior surface of the track housing. A strap is threaded through the loops, and is adapted to slide around the exterior surface of the track housing from a pulling force on the animal restraint. The strap includes a leash attachment ring adapted for attachment to a leash. Impact resistant padding is attached to the interior surface of the track housing, and the sliding movement of the strap maintains a proper positioning of the impact resistant padding over corresponding anatomical neck structures of an animal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/576,975, filed Sep. 20, 2019, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/734,341 filedSep. 21, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Several types of animal restraints exist, some of which include collarsand harnesses. Restraints are used for many purposes, and are sometimeseven required by law to be used when pet animals such as dogs are inpublic places.

Animal restraints, such as collars and harnesses, are commonly used whena human owner walks a dog. A leash, cable, tether, or chain that can beheld by the human owner is typically connected to the restraint. Therestraint allows the human owner to maintain control over the dog suchas to prevent the dog from running away, to prevent the dog fromengaging other animals, or to prevent injury to the dog from runninginto a moving object such as a vehicle moving in traffic.

Additionally, most municipalities have laws restricting free roaming ofdogs. Therefore, in addition to walking an animal on a leash, it iscommon practice to tether the animal to a stationary object, such as ahouse or yard stake. In such scenarios, the restraint can be attached toa leash or chain, and the leash or chain can then be attached to astationary object in order to constrain the animal to a designated area.

Many animal restraints include a strap that goes around, or partiallyaround, the animal's neck. Because of this, the restraint has thepotential to harm important anatomical structures in the neck. Forexample, when a dog pulls against the restraint, the force istransferred through the strap along the neck and into the trachealregion of the dog's throat. Even a mild leash pull is enough force tocause harm or trauma to the dog. Such harm can include irreversibledamage to the delicate structures in the neck including, but not limitedto, tracheal collapse, thyroid glandular damage, glaucoma, and/orcervical spine trauma.

Also, most animal restraints include a fastening point such as a ring orloop for connecting a leash. Several problems are caused by the factthat the fastening point is connected to the restraint at a fixedlocation. For example, if the dog pulls on the leash, the force tends tomake the restraint rotate around the dog's neck or body. Also, mostdogs, unless well trained, will naturally pull against a leash when theanimal feels resistance from the leash. Therefore, when the dog pulls onthe leash, it can cause the dog to lean unnaturally to counteract theresistance from the leash in order to maintain balance. Over time thisunnatural gait can cause injury such as arthritis, and overuse syndromesor inflammation of joint capsules, tendons, ligaments, and/or muscles.

Therefore, improvements are needed to improve the safety of animalrestraints to minimize and/or prevent collar trauma to critical neckstructures of an animal as well as to prevent an unbalanced ormisaligned gait.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to an animal restraint formitigating collar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal. Inone possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the animalrestraint includes a strap adapted to slide around an exterior surfaceof a track housing, the sliding movement of the strap maintaining aproper positioning of an impact resistant padding over correspondinganatomical neck structures of the animal when a pulling force is appliedby the animal to the animal restraint.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an animal restraint formitigating collar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal, theanimal restraint comprising: a track housing defining an exteriorsurface and an interior surface; a plurality of loops positioned on theexterior surface of the track housing; a strap threaded through theloops, the strap adapted to slide around the exterior surface of thetrack housing from a pulling force on the animal restraint, the strapincluding a leash attachment ring adapted for attachment to a leash; andimpact resistant padding attached to the interior surface of the trackhousing, the sliding movement of the strap maintaining a properpositioning of the impact resistant padding over correspondinganatomical neck structures of an animal.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an impact resistantpadding for an animal restraint, the impact resistant paddingcomprising: an internal grid pattern that defines a plurality of emptycells, the internal grid pattern providing column buckling to disperse apulling force on the animal restraint.

Another aspect relates to an animal restraint for mitigating collartrauma of an animal, the animal restraint comprising: a first strapconfigured to bend around a neck of the animal; impact resistant paddingadjustably attached to an interior surface of the first strap forcushioning the neck of the animal; and a second strap attached to thefirst strap, the second strap providing a lateral glide movement for aring configured for attachment to a leash to maintain proper anatomicalpositioning of the impact resistant padding around the neck of theanimal.

Another aspect relates to an animal restraint for mitigating collartrauma to neck structures of an animal, the animal restraint comprising:a strap including a leash attachment ring adapted for attachment to aleash; and impact resistant padding removably mounted to the animalrestraint, the impact resistant padding being structured for cushioningthe neck structures of the animal.

Another aspect relates to an impact resistant padding for an animalrestraint, the impact resistant padding comprising: at least onetracheal piece having a mechanical fastener for removably attaching toan interior surface of the animal restraint, the at least one trachealpiece being structured to cushion a trachea of an animal; and thyroidpieces each having mechanical fasteners for removably attaching to theinterior surface of the animal restraint on opposite sides of the atleast one tracheal piece, the thyroid pieces being structured to cushionthe thyroids of the animal.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventiveconcepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use inconjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denotelike elements.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an animal restraint around the neck of ananimal, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric, assembled view of the animal restraint of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, dissembled view of the animal restraint of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of a tracheal cup according to theembodiment of the animal restraint of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the tracheal cup of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tracheal cup of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the tracheal cup of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a leash guide according to the embodimentof the animal restraint of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the leash guide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the leash guide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the leash guide of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a view of an owner behind an animal fitted with the animalrestraint.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an animal restraint around the neck ofan animal, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is an isometric, partially dissembled view of the animalrestraint according to the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a rear isometric view of a tracheal cup according to theembodiment of the animal restraint of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the tracheal cup of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the tracheal cup of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a leash guide according to theembodiment of the animal restraint of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the leash guide of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the leash guide of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the leash guide of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of an animal restraint in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an animal restraint in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a leash guide animal according to theembodiment of the animal restraint of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an animal restraint in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure, the animal restraint shownin a relaxed position.

FIG. 26 is a partially exploded isometric view of the animal restraintof FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the animal restraint of FIG. 25, theanimal restraint shown in an engaged position.

FIG. 28 is another isometric view of the animal restraint in the engagedposition.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a track housing of the animal restraintof FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of the animal restraint of FIG. 25 showinga stop rivet adjacent to an intermediate loop.

FIG. 31 is a detailed isometric view of the animal restraint of FIG. 25showing a stop rivet adjacent to a terminal loop.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an animal restraint in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of an animal restraint in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a top view of an animal restraint in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the views. Reference tovarious embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which islimited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Any examplesset forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting andmerely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimedinvention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 100 around the neckof an animal 102, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the animalrestraint 100 is a collar. The animal restraint 100 can mitigate collartrauma to critical neck structures of the animal 102. Although theanimal 102 in FIG. 1 is depicted as a dog, it is contemplated that theanimal restraint 100 can be used to restrain various types of petanimals.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are assembled and disassembled isometric views,respectively, of the animal restraint 100 removed from the animal. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the animal restraint 100 includes a tracheal cup104. The tracheal cup 104 includes a tracheal guard 106, and thyroidguards 108 extending from opposite ends of the tracheal guard 106. Eachthyroid guard 108 includes a slot 110 that receives a strap 112. In someexamples, the slots 110 are angled grooves relative to the thyroidguards 108 so that the circumference of the strap 112 can be adjustedyet the strap 112 can also be maintained in a stationary position whenthe animal restraint 100 is worn.

The tracheal guard 106 and thyroid guards 108 of the tracheal cup 104can be made from materials such that the animal restraint has flex yetalso has sufficient rigidity and memory to maintain the contour or shapeof the neck. At least some of the properties of the material used formaking the tracheal guard 106 and thyroid guards 108 of the tracheal cup104 can include flexibility, strength, and durability, as well aschemical, heat, and cold resistance. Accordingly, the tracheal guard 106and the thyroid guards 108 can have flexibility and memory to shockabsorb forces applied to the animal restraint 100 (e.g., when the animalrestraint 100 is pulled by a leash), thereby reducing trauma tounderlying anatomical structures of the animal. In some examples, thetracheal guard 106 and the thyroid guards 108 are made from a durableand flexible material, such as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer,including, for example, Dupont Hytrel® material, or other similar typesof material.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are rear and front isometric views, respectively of thetracheal cup 104. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the tracheal cup 104 hasimpact-resistant padding 132, 134 attached to an interior surface 130 ofeach thyroid guard 108. In some examples, the impact-resistant padding132, 134 also at least partially covers an interior surface 136 of thetracheal guard 106. In some examples, the impact-resistant padding 132,134 can be made from a foam material, such as impact resistant, waterresistant, foam polymer or elastomer materials such as D30® polymermaterial, or other similar types of material.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tracheal cup 104. FIG. 7 is a top view ofthe tracheal cup 104. Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the tracheal guard 106has a concave shape, and each thyroid guard 108 also has a concaveshape. The concave shape of the tracheal guard 106 and each thyroidguard 108 can reduce collar trauma to critical neck structures of ananimal by providing a bowed spring action and/or shock absorption actionwhen the animal restraint 100 is pulled. Also, the concave shapes of thetracheal guard 106 and thyroid guards 108 allow the tracheal cup 104 toflex outward and away from the trachea and other sensitive neckstructures so that the tracheal cup 104 can press against stronger neckmuscles which can better withstand a force from a pull of the animalrestraint 100. Additionally, the impact-resistant padding 132, 134 canprovide cushioning to further reduce collar trauma.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thyroid guards 108 have a width W2 that islarger than a width W1 of the tracheal guard 106. The larger width W2 ofthe thyroid guards 108 can help distribute the force applied to thethyroid glands of the animal when the animal restraint 100 is pulledaround the neck of an animal, and thereby further reduce the collartrauma. In some examples, the width W2 is in a range from 15% to 45%larger than the width W1. In some examples, the width W2 is in a rangefrom 0.5 to 1.5 inches, and the width W1 is in a range from 0.5 to 1.5inches. In some alternative examples, the width W2 can be the same orsubstantially similar to the width W1.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tracheal cup 104 further includes anouter band 154 that abuts an exterior surface 138 of the tracheal guard106. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer band 154 can help guide the strap 112around the outside perimeter of the tracheal cup 104. As shown in FIG.6, the outer band 154 has a width W3. In some examples, the width W3 ofthe outer band 154 is in a range from 15% to 35% smaller than the widthW1 of the tracheal guard 106. In certain examples, the width W3 of theouter band 154 is about 25% smaller than the width W1 of the trachealguard 106.

With respect to the shape of the tracheal cup 104, the overall concaveor arched shape of the tracheal cup 104 can help to distribute themajority of a pulling force to the thyroid guards 108 which are locatednext to the thyroid concavity of the animal when the animal restraint100 is worn. By virtue of the larger surface area and anatomicallocation of the thyroid guards 108, the underlying major musculature ofthe animal's throat and neck absorbs the vast majority of the impactwhen the animal restraint 100 is pulled upon. The shock absorbingmuscles involved include the sternohyoideus, sternothyroideus, andsternocephalicus muscles. These muscles are typically more resilientthan the delicate underlying anatomical structures, e.g., the trachea,thyroid gland, major neck vasculature, spinal cord, and cervical nerveroots of the animal.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the tracheal cup 104 has several features thatwork in combination to help mitigate trauma to underlying throat andneck anatomical structures when a force is applied to the animalrestraint 100 (e.g., by a leash). For example, (1) the overall shapeincluding that of the tracheal cup 104 can provide a first level ofprotection to the underlying anatomical structures; (2) the flexibilitydue to the “bowed” design and materials of the tracheal cup 104 canprovide a second level of protection; and (3) the impact-resistantpadding 132, 134 can provide another level of protection.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the animal restraint 100 also includesa leash guide 114. The leash guide 114 includes slots 116 on oppositesends that receive the strap 112. As shown in FIG. 2, a single strap,such as the strap 112, is threaded through the first set of slots 110 onthe tracheal cup 104 and through the second set of slots 116 on theleash guide 114 to connect the tracheal cup 104 to the leash guide 114.Accordingly, the tracheal cup 104 and the leash guide 114 can workseamlessly together as a collar that can be worn around the neck of ananimal such as a dog. In some examples, the slots 116 are angled groovesrelative to the leash guide 114 so that the circumference of the strap112 can be adjusted yet the strap 112 can also be maintained in astationary position when the animal restraint 100 is worn.

As shown in FIG. 2, the strap 112 when threaded through slots 110 ofeach thyroid guard 108, abuts the outer band 154 of the tracheal guard106 and an exterior surface of each thyroid guard 108 such that thestrap 112 wraps around the exterior perimeter of the tracheal cup 104.Similarly, the strap 112 when threaded through slots 116 of the leashguide 114 abuts an exterior surface of an outer leash band 124 such thatthe strap 112 wraps around the exterior perimeter of the leash guide114. By wrapping around the exterior surfaces of the tracheal cup 104and the leash guide 114, the strap 112 can add an additional layer ofrobustness to the animal restraint 100 and can maintain a “strapappearance” that is customary to the animal collar industry.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap 112 can include a buckle 115 thatcan be used to adjust the circumference of the animal restraint 100 sothat the animal restraint 100 can be fitted around various animal necksizes. In some examples, the buckle 115 is a ladder lock type buckle orsimilar type of buckle for adjusting strap circumference.

In some examples, the tracheal cup 104 and the leash guide 114 are sizedaccording to the neck circumference of various animal sizes (e.g.,small, medium, large, etc.). In some examples, the leash guide 114 canbe sized to cover about 50% of the neck circumference of an animal, andthe tracheal cup 104 can be sized to cover about 10-15% of the neckcircumference of the animal (the remaining circumference around the neckcan be covered by the strap 112, the circumference of which can beadjusted using the buckle 115). The tracheal cup 104, the leash guide114, and the strap 112 can be packaged in sizes such as extra-small,small, medium, large, extra-large, etc. so that the animal restraint 100can be fitted around animals of various sizes.

As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap 112 includes an attachmentdevice 118 for securing the animal restraint around the neck of ananimal. In some examples, the attachment device 118 is a snap-fitbuckle. In such examples, the snap-fit buckle can include a frame 120 atone end of the strap 112, and a pair of prongs 122 at an opposite end ofthe strap 112. The pair of prongs 122 can snap-fit into the frame 120 tosecure the animal restraint 100 around the neck of an animal. Oncesecured around the neck of the animal, the prongs 122 can be pushedinwardly to release the prongs 122 from the frame 120, and to remove theanimal restraint 100 from the neck of an animal. In alternativeexamples, it is contemplated that other types of attachment devices suchas hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, etc. may be used to secure andremove the animal restraint 100 around the neck of an animal.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the leash guide 114. FIG. 9 is a frontview of the leash guide 114. FIG. 10 is a top view of the leash guide114. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the leash guide 114 includes an outer leashband 124, and an inner protection band 126. The inner protection band126 is attached to opposite ends of the outer leash band 124, and isconcentrically aligned with the outer leash band 124. In some examples,the outer leash band 124 and the inner protection band 126 are made fromthe same durable material used to make the tracheal guard 106 and thethyroid guards 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8-10, the leash guide 114 can include aleash attachment ring 128 that can slide freely inside a space 140between the outer leash band 124 and the inner protection band 126. Aleash (not shown) can be removably attached to the leash attachment ring128 so that an animal owner can maintain control of an animal that hasthe animal restraint 100 secured around its neck.

A shown in FIGS. 8-10, an impact-resistant padding 144 can cover aninterior surface of the inner protection band 126. The impact-resistantpadding 144 can provide cushioning between the inner protection band 126and the neck of an animal, and thereby improve the comfort of the animalrestraint 100 when worn by an animal. In some examples, theimpact-resistant padding 144 is made from the same foam material as theimpact-resistant padding 132, 134 on the tracheal cup 104.

As shown in FIG. 9, the inner protection band 126 has a width W4 and theouter leash band 124 has a width W5. In the example depicted in FIGS. 2,3, and 8-10, the width W5 of the outer leash band 124 is smaller thanthe width W4 of the inner protection band 126. In some examples, thewidth W5 of the outer leash band 124 is in a range from 15% to 35%smaller than the width W4 of the inner protection band 126. In certainexamples, the width W5 of the outer leash band 124 is about 25% smallerthan the width W4 of the inner protection band 126.

In some examples, the width W4 of the inner protection band 126 is in arange from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. The width W4 can help distribute theforces applied to the neck of the animal when the animal restraint 100is pulled, and thereby reduce collar trauma.

In some examples, the width W5 of the outer leash band 124 is in a rangefrom 0.5 to 1.5 inches. The width W5 can help guide the strap 112 aroundthe outside perimeter of the leash guide 114. Additionally, the smallerwidth W5 of the outer leash band 124 (as compared to the width W4 of theinner protection band 126) can minimize the chance of fur becomingtangled in the leash attachment ring 128. Also, the smaller width W5 candecrease the surface area of the outer leash band 124 upon which theleash attachment ring 128 glides, thereby decreasing the friction on theleash attachment ring 128 when the leash attachment ring 128 glides onthe outer leash band 124.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the outer leash band 124 includes arepositioning recess 148. The repositioning recess 148 can engage andtemporarily hold the leash attachment ring 128 when the leash attachmentring 128 is pulled by a leash (not shown) to restrain the movement of ananimal. Thus, the repositioning recess 148 can help to center the leashattachment ring 128 on the outer leash band 124.

As shown in FIG. 10, a magnet 150 can be attached to the repositioningrecess 148 or can be embedded inside the repositioning recess 148, orembedded along the superior segment of the outer leash band 124, and theleash attachment ring 128 can be made from a ferromagnetic material thatis magnetically attracted to the magnet 150 in the repositioning recess148 to help center the leash attachment ring 128 on the outer leash band124. In other alternative examples, a piece of ferromagnetic materialcan be attached to the repositioning recess 148 or can be embeddedinside the repositioning recess 148, and the leash attachment ring 128can be a magnet that is attracted to the piece of ferromagnetic materialin the repositioning recess 148 to help center the leash attachment ring128 on the outer leash band 124. The centering of the leash attachmentring 128 in the superior segment of the outer leash band 124 elevatesthe sagging portion of the leash when the animal is loose-leash walking.The positioning of the leash attachment ring 128 on the superior segmentof the outer leash band 124 can thus help to prevent entanglement of theleash in the legs of the animal.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap 112 can include an alignmentguide 152. The alignment guide 152 can be used to indicate whether theleash attachment ring 128 is centrally aligned along the outer leashband 124 (e.g., within the repositioning recess 148). In some examples,the alignment guide 152 can be made from a reflective or brightlycolored material (e.g., neon orange or yellow) to improve itsvisibility.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the leash guide 114. As shown inFIG. 11, the outer leash band 124 is angled (i.e., offset) with respectto the inner protection band 126. The offset of the outer leash band 124relative to the inner protection band 126 provides a smoother glide forthe leash attachment ring 128 on the outer leash band 124 when a leash(shown in FIG. 12) attached to the leash attachment ring 128 is pulledwhile walking an animal with the animal restraint 100 attached thereto.In some examples, the outer leash band 124 is offset relative to theinner protection band 126 by an angle θ in a range from 20 degrees to 40degrees. In certain examples, the outer leash band 124 is offsetrelative to the inner protection band 126 by an angle θ of 30 degrees.

FIG. 12 is a view of an owner 131 behind an animal 133 fitted with theanimal restraint 100. As shown in FIG. 12, the offset of the outer leashband 124 relative to the inner protection band 126 (see FIG. 11) canhelp to maintain the natural gait and walking position of the animal133. Also, the offset can help to maintain the animal restraint 100 in aproper anterior-posterior alignment, and ensure that the location of thetracheal cup 104 and leash guide 114 relative to the anatomical neckstructures of the animal does not shift when the animal restraint isworn. Additionally, the smoother glide that results from the offset ofthe outer leash band 124 relative to the inner protection band 126 canreduce the force and/or friction applied by the leash attachment ring128 to the outer leash band 124 when the leash 129 is pulled.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12, the glide movement of the leashattachment ring 128 on the leash guide 114 can help to prevent theanimal restraint 100 from shifting relative to the anatomical neckstructures of the animal, and can therefore help to maintain the properanatomical location of the animal restraint 100 such that the trachealcup 104 can remain in place over the trachea and thyroid anatomicalstructures of the animal. Also, the glide movement of the leashattachment ring 128 on the leash guide 114 can help to minimize gaitabnormalities when walking the animal. For example, long walks caninclude gait disturbances that can cause pain due to overuse syndromes,connective tissue trauma, and inflammation. In at least some examples,the leash guide 114 can provide a glide movement of about 180 degrees.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 200 around the neckand body of an animal 202, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 13, the animal restraint 200 is aharness. The animal restraint 200 can mitigate collar trauma to criticalneck structures of the animal 202. Although the animal 202 in FIG. 13 isdepicted as a dog, it is contemplated that the animal restraint 200 canbe used to restrain various types of animals.

FIG. 14 is a partially disassembled isometric view of the animalrestraint 200. As shown in FIG. 14, a strap 215 can be threaded througha first set of slots 210 on opposite ends of a tracheal cup 204. Anotherstrap 212 can be threaded through a second set of slots 216 on oppositeends of a leash guide 214. Additionally, opposite ends of the strap 215can be threaded through a third set of slots 217 on the leash guide 214for connecting the tracheal cup 204 to the leash guide 214. In someexamples, the first set of slots 210, the second set of slots 216, andthe third set of slots 217 are angled grooves that allow thecircumferences of the strap 212 and the strap 215 to be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the strap 215 can include buckles 221 that can beused to adjust the distance between the tracheal cup 204 and the leashguide 214 so that the animal restraint 200 can be fitted around variousneck sizes. Similarly, the strap 212 can include a buckle 213 that canbe used to adjust the circumference of the strap 212 so that the animalrestraint 200 can be fitted around various thorax sizes. The buckles 213and 221 can be ladder lock type buckles or other similar types ofbuckles.

In some examples, the tracheal cup 204 and the leash guide 214 are sizedaccording to the neck circumference and the thorax circumference ofanimals of various sizes (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.). In someexamples, the leash guide 214 can be sized to cover about 50% of thethorax circumference of an animal (the remaining circumference aroundthe thorax of the animal can be covered by the strap 212, thecircumference of which can be adjusted using the buckle 213). In someexamples, the tracheal cup 204 can be sized to cover about 10-15% of theneck circumference of an animal (the remaining circumference around theneck can be covered by the strap 215, the circumference of which can beadjusted using the buckles 221). The tracheal cup 204, the leash guide214, and the straps 212 and can be packaged in sizes such asextra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large, etc. so that the animalrestraint 200 can be fitted around animals of various sizes.

As shown in FIG. 14, the strap 212 further includes an attachment device218 for securing the animal restraint 200 around the thorax of ananimal. In some examples, the attachment device 218 is a snap-fitbuckle. In such examples, the snap-fit buckle can include a frame 220 atone end of the strap 212, and a pair of prongs 222 at an opposite end ofthe strap 212. The pair of prongs 222 can snap-fit into the frame 220 tosecure the animal restraint 200 around the body of an animal. Oncesecured around the body of the animal, the prongs 222 can be pushedinwardly to release the prongs 222 from the frame 220, and to remove theanimal restraint 200 from the body of an animal. In alternativeexamples, it is contemplated that other types of attachment devices suchas hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, etc. may be used to secure andremove the animal restraint 200 around the thorax of an animal.

FIG. 15 is a rear isometric view of the tracheal cup 204. The trachealcup 204 is substantially similar to the tracheal cup 104 describedabove. As shown in FIG. 15, the tracheal cup 204 includes a trachealguard 206, and thyroid guards 208 extending from opposite ends of thetracheal guard 206. The first set of slots 210 on the tracheal cup 204each receive the strap 215 (shown in FIG. 14). In some examples, theslots 210 are angled grooves relative to the thyroid guards 208 so thatthe circumference of the strap 215 can be adjusted yet the strap 215 canalso be maintained in a stationary position when the animal restraint200 is worn by an animal. In some examples, the tracheal guard 206 andthe thyroid guards 208 can be made from the same durable and flexiblematerial used to make the tracheal cup 104, as described above.

The tracheal cup 204 can also include impact-resistant padding 232, 234attached to an interior surface 230 of each thyroid guard 208. In someexamples, the impact-resistant padding 232, 234 also at least partiallycovers an interior surface 236 of the tracheal guard 206. In someexamples, the impact-resistant padding 232, 234 can be made from thesame soft foam material used for the impact-resistant padding 132, 134.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the tracheal cup 204. FIG. 17 is a top viewof the tracheal cup 204. Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, the trachealguard 206 has a concave shape, and each thyroid guard 208 also has aconcave shape. The concave shape of the tracheal guard 206 and eachthyroid guard 208 can reduce collar trauma to critical neck structuresof an animal by providing a bowed spring action and/or shock absorptionaction when the animal restraint 200 is pulled. Also, the concave shapesof the tracheal guard 206 and thyroid guards 208 allow the tracheal cup204 to flex outward and away from the trachea and other sensitive neckstructures. Instead, the tracheal cup 204 can press against strongerneck muscles which can better withstand a force from a pull of theanimal restraint 200. Additionally, the impact-resistant padding 232,234 can provide cushioning to further reduce collar trauma.

As shown in FIG. 16, the thyroid guards 208 have a width W7 that islarger than a width W6 of the tracheal guard 206. The larger width W7 ofthe thyroid guards 208 can help distribute the force applied to thethyroid glands of the animal when the animal restraint 200 is pulledaround the neck of an animal, and thereby further reduce the collartrauma. In some examples, the width W7 is in a range from 15% to 45%larger than the width W6. In some examples, the width W7 is in a rangefrom 0.5 to 1.5 inches, and the width W6 is in a range from 0.5 to 1.5inches. In some alternative examples, the width W7 can be the same orsubstantially similar to the width W6.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the tracheal cup 204 further includes anouter band 254 that abuts an exterior surface 238 of the tracheal guard206. As shown in FIG. 14, the outer band 254 guides the strap 215 aroundthe outside perimeter of the tracheal cup 204. For example, as shown inFIG. 14, when the strap 215 is threaded through the first set of slots210 of the tracheal cup 204, the strap 215 abuts the outer band 254 ofthe tracheal guard 206 and an exterior surface of each thyroid guard 208such that the strap 215 wraps around the exterior perimeter of thetracheal cup 204, and thereby provides an additional layer of robustnessand provides a “strap appearance.”

As shown in FIG. 16, the outer band 254 has a width W8. In someexamples, the width W8 of the outer band 254 is in a range from 15% to35% smaller than the width W6 of the tracheal guard 206. In certainexamples, the width W8 of the outer band 254 is about 25% smaller thanthe width W6 of the tracheal guard 206.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the leash guide 214. FIG. 19 is a frontview of the leash guide 214. FIG. 20 is a top view of the leash guide214. The leash guide 214 is substantially similar to the leash guide 114described above. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the leash guide 214 includesan outer leash band 224 and an inner protection band 226. The innerprotection band 226 is attached to opposite ends of the outer leash band224, and is concentrically aligned with the outer leash band 224. Theinner protection band 226 includes tabs 219 that extend from a sidesurface. Each tab 219 includes a slot 217 that can receive an end of thestrap 215 (shown in FIG. 14). In some examples, the outer leash band 224and the inner protection band 226 are made from the same durablematerial used to make the tracheal guard 206 and the thyroid guards 208.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16-18, the leash guide 214 can include a leashattachment ring 228 that can slide freely inside a space 240 between theouter leash band 224 and the inner protection band 226. A leash (notshown) can be removably attached to the leash attachment ring 228 sothat an animal owner can maintain control of an animal that has theanimal restraint 200 secured around its neck and body.

A shown in FIGS. 12 and 16-18, an impact-resistant padding 244 covers aninterior surface of the inner protection band 226. The impact-resistantpadding 244 can provide additional cushioning between the innerprotection band 226 and the back of an animal. In some examples, theimpact-resistant padding 244 is made from the same foam material as theimpact-resistant padding 232, 234 on the tracheal cup 204.

As shown in FIG. 19, the inner protection band 226 has a width W9 andthe outer leash band 224 has a width W10. In the example embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 12 and 16-18, the width W10 of the outer leash band224 is smaller than the width W9 of the inner protection band 226. Insome examples, the width W10 of the outer leash band 224 is in a rangefrom 15% to 35% smaller than the width W9 of the inner protection band226. In certain examples, the width W10 of the outer leash band 224 isabout 25% smaller than the width W9 of the inner protection band 226.

In some examples, the width W9 of the inner protection band 226 is in arange from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. The width W9 of the inner protection band226 can help to distribute the forces applied to the back of an animalwhen the animal restraint 200 is pulled, and thereby reduce back traumacaused by pulling the animal restraint 200.

In some examples, the width W10 of the outer leash band 224 is in arange from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. The width W10 of the outer leash band 224can help guides the strap 212 around the outside perimeter of the leashguide 214 to provide an additional layer of robustness and a “strapappearance.” Additionally, the width W10 of the outer leash band 224(which is smaller than the width W9) can help minimize the chance of furbecoming tangled in the leash attachment ring 228. Also, the smallerwidth W10 can decrease the surface area of the outer leash band 224 uponwhich the leash attachment ring 228 glides, thereby decreasing thefriction on the leash attachment ring 228 when the leash attachment ring228 glides along the outer leash band 224.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the outer leash band 224 includes arepositioning recess 248. The repositioning recess 248 can engage andtemporarily hold the leash attachment ring 228 when the leash attachmentring 228 is pulled by a leash (not shown) to restrain the movement of ananimal. Thus, when a human owner is directly behind an animal with theanimal restraint 200 attached thereto, the repositioning recess 248 canhelp to center the leash attachment ring 228 on the outer leash band224, and the pulling force applied by the leash to the animal restraint200 can reposition and align the animal restraint 200 into a properanterior-posterior alignment.

As shown in FIG. 20, a magnet 250 can be attached to the repositioningrecess 248 or can be embedded inside the repositioning recess 248, andthe leash attachment ring 228 can be made from a ferromagnetic materialthat is magnetically attracted to the magnet 250 to help center theleash attachment ring 228 on the outer leash band 224. In alternativeexamples, ferromagnetic material can be attached to or can be embeddedinside the repositioning recess 248, and the leash attachment ring 228can be a magnet that is attracted to the ferromagnetic material in therepositioning recess 248 to help center the leash attachment ring 228 onthe outer leash band 224.

The repositioning recess 248 allows the animal restraint 200 to be lesslikely to become tangled in the legs of the animal when loose-leashwalking (loose-leash walking is a desired dog walking position; however,even the most well trained animals can pull on the leash after becomingdistracted by other dogs or animals). Additionally, the repositioningrecess 248 can reduce the distance that the leash attachment ring 228travels on the outer leash band 224, which can reduce the lateral forceand/or movement applied to the leash guide 214 from pulling the leash,and can thereby maintain a proper anterior-posterior alignment between ahuman owner holding the leash and an animal with the animal restraint200 attached thereto.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the strap 212 can include an alignment guide252. The alignment guide 252 can be used to indicate whether the leashattachment ring 228 is centrally aligned along the outer leash band 224(e.g., within the repositioning recess 248). In some examples, thealignment guide 252 can be made from a reflective or brightly coloredmaterial (e.g., neon orange or yellow) to improve its visibility.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the leash guide 214. As shown inFIG. 21, the outer leash band 224 is angled (i.e., offset) with respectto the inner protection band 226. The offset of the outer leash band 224relative to the inner protection band 226 provides a smoother glide forthe leash attachment ring 228 on the outer leash band 224 when the leashattachment ring 228 is pulled by a leash while walking an animal.

The offset of the outer leash band 224 relative to the inner protectionband 226 can help to maintain the natural gait and walking position ofthe animal. Also, the offset can help to reposition and align the animalrestraint 200 into a proper anterior-posterior alignment, and ensurethat such that the location of the tracheal cup 104 relative to theanatomical neck structures of the animal does not shift when the animalrestraint is worn. Additionally, the smoother glide that results fromthe offset of the outer leash band 224 relative to the inner protectionband 226 can reduce the force and/or friction applied by the leashattachment ring 228 to the outer leash band 224 when the leash ispulled. In some examples, the outer leash band 124 is offset relative tothe inner protection band 126 in a range from 20 degrees to 40 degrees.In certain examples, the outer leash band 124 is offset relative to theinner protection band 126 by 30 degrees.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 300 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 22,the animal restraint 300 includes a tracheal cup 304 substantiallysimilar to the tracheal cup 104 and the tracheal cup 204 describedabove. The animal restraint 300 further includes a leash guide 314 and astrap 312. The strap 312 can adjustably connect the leash guide 314 tothe tracheal cup 304. The tracheal cup 304 and the leash guide 314 canbe made from the same material used for the tracheal cup 104 and theleash guide 114.

As shown in FIG. 22, the leash guide 314 includes an outer leash band324, and an inner protection band 326. The outer leash band 324 isattached to opposite ends of the inner protection band 326. As shown inFIG. 22, the outer leash band 324 is angled relative to the innerprotection band 326. The angular offset of the outer leash band 324relative to the inner protection band 326 provides a smoother glide fora leash attachment ring 328 that can glide on the outer leash band 324when a leash attached to the leash attachment ring 328 is pulled whilewalking an animal.

In some examples, the outer leash band 324 is angularly offset relativeto the inner protection band 326 by an angle in a range from 20 degreesto 40 degrees. In certain examples, the outer leash band 324 isangularly offset relative to the inner protection band 326 by an angleof 30 degrees.

As further shown in FIG. 22, the strap 312 is attached to slots 316 onthe opposites ends of the leash guide 314 such that the strap 312 doesnot go around the outside perimeter of the outer leash band 324. Thiscan help prevent the strap 312 from bunching up around the outsideperimeter of the outer leash band 324, and thus provide a smoother glidefor the leash attachment ring 328 on the outer leash band 324.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 400 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 23,the animal restraint 400 includes a tracheal cup 404 substantiallysimilar to the tracheal cup 104 and the tracheal cup 204 describedabove. The animal restraint 400 further includes a leash guide 414 and astrap 412. The strap 412 can adjustably connect the leash guide 414 tothe tracheal cup 404. The tracheal cup 404 and the leash guide 414 canbe made from the same material used for the tracheal cup 104 and theleash guide 114.

As shown in FIG. 23, the leash guide 414 includes an outer leash band424 having opposite ends 425. Each opposite end 425 has a slot 416 thatcan receive the strap 412. The leash guide 414 does not have an innerprotection band, but rather the strap 412 is fed through the slots 416of the leash guide 414 such that the strap 412 abuts the neck of theanimal when the animal restraint 400 is worn.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the leash guide 414 without the strap412. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the outer leash band 424 is angledrelative to the slots 416 such that the outer leash band 424 is angledrelative to the strap 412 when the strap 412 is fed through the slots416. The angular offset of the outer leash band 424 relative to thestrap 412 provides a smoother glide for a leash attachment ring 428 thatcan glide on the outer leash band 424 when a leash attached to the leashattachment ring 428 is pulled while walking an animal with the animalrestraint 400.

In some examples, the outer leash band 424 is angularly offset relativeto the slots 416 by an angle in a range from 20 degrees to 40 degrees.In certain examples, the outer leash band 424 is angularly offsetrelative to the slots 416 by 30 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 24, the outer leash band 424 can include apertures 418where a magnet can be attached or embedded inside the leash guide 414.The leash attachment ring 428 can be made from a ferromagnetic materialthat is magnetically attracted to the magnet in the apertures 418 tohelp center the leash attachment ring 428 on the outer leash band 424.In other alternative examples, a piece of ferromagnetic material can beattached or embedded inside the apertures 418, and the leash attachmentring 428 can be a magnet that is attracted to the piece of ferromagneticmaterial in the apertures 418 to help center the leash attachment ring428.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 500 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure. The animal restraint500 protects the airway and critical anatomical structures of the neck,cervical spine, and vasculature of an animal when the animal pulls on arestraining leash, tether, chain, rope, cable, and the like (hereinreferred to as a “leash”) attached to the animal restraint 500.

The animal restraint 500 provides a custom fit for each animal thatwears the animal restraint 500. In some examples, the animal restraint500 is a choke-less collar adapted to fit a wide range of animal necksizes and shapes, and to comfortably conform to the size and shape of ananimal's neck. Accordingly, fewer sizes are needed which is advantageousfor the manufacturability and inventory of the animal restraint 500.

The animal restraint 500 includes a track housing 502, impact resistantpadding 504, and a strap 506. In FIG. 25, the animal restraint 500 isshown in a relaxed position 500 a. The animal restraint 500 transitionsfrom the relaxed position 500 a to an engaged position 500 b (see FIGS.27 and 28) from a pulling force on the animal restraint 500.

The track housing 502 includes a plurality of loops 508 on an exteriorsurface 510. The loops 508 prevent axial movement of the strap 506relative to the track housing 502 while allowing radial movement of thestrap 506 relative to the track housing 502. Accordingly, the loops 508secure the strap 506 to the track housing 502 such that the strap 506 isable to slide relative the track housing 502.

In some examples, an auxiliary leash can be attached to one of the loops508 of the animal restraint 500 to correct inappropriate pulling duringloose leash walking training. The incorrect movement of the animal canbe corrected by gently pulling the auxiliary leash sideways to changethe direction of the animal as it travels.

In the examples illustrated in the figures, five loops 508 are includedon the exterior surface 510 of the track housing 502. It is contemplatedthat the number of loops 508 may vary as needed such that the trackhousing can include fewer than five loops or more than five loops.Additionally, the number of loops may increase or decrease according tothe size of the animal restraint 500 (e.g., a larger sized animalrestraint adapted for fitting around the necks of larger animals mayinclude more loops than a smaller sized animal restraint adapted forfitting around the necks of smaller animals). Accordingly, the trackhousing 502 is not limited to a particular number of loops.

The strap 506 is made from a standard leash material. In someillustrative examples, the strap 506 is made from a woven or braidedpolyester material, or leather. As will be described in more detailbelow, the strap 506 is adapted to slide around the exterior surface 510of the track housing 502. Advantageously, the sliding movement aroundthe exterior surface 510 helps to maintain a proper anterior-posteriorpositioning of the animal restraint 500 by maintaining a properpositioning of the impact resistant padding 504 over correspondinganatomical structures of the neck of an animal.

The strap 506 includes a leash attachment ring 528 that is attached to afirst end 530 of the strap 506. The leash attachment ring 528 isremovably attachable to a leash. The strap 506 further includes aslip-ring 522 attached to an opposite, second end 532 of the strap 506.Prior to attaching the leash attachment ring 528 to the first end 530 ofthe strap 506, the first end 530 of the strap 506 is threaded throughthe loops 508 on the exterior surface 510 of the track housing, andthereafter through the slip-ring 522 such that the strap 506 wrapsaround the exterior surface 510 of the track housing 502.

The slip-ring 522 tightens the strap 506 around the track housing 502when a pulling force is applied onto the animal restraint 500 (i.e.,when an animal pulls on a leash attached to the leash attachment ring528 of the strap 506). The tightening of the strap 506 around the trackhousing 502 causes the animal restraint 500 to transition from therelaxed position 500 a (see FIG. 25) to the engaged position 500 b (seeFIG. 27) which reduces the circumference of the track housing 502 aroundthe animal's neck.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the track housing 502 without the strap506 attached thereto. Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 29, the trackhousing 502 is a molded piece of material that bends from the tighteningof the strap 506 around the exterior surface 510 of the track housing502. The bending of the track housing 502 allows the animal restraint500 to transition from the relaxed position 500 a to the engagedposition 500 b by reducing a gap 514 between distal ends 516 of thetrack housing 502 (see FIG. 25). In some examples, the distal ends 516of the track housing 502 overlap one another (see FIGS. 27 and 28) whenthe animal restraint 500 is in the engaged position 500 b.

As shown in FIG. 29, the track housing 502 is molded to have the distalends 516 curve outwardly to enhance the ability of the track housing toflex inwardly from the tightening of the strap 506 around the exteriorsurface 510 of the track housing 502.

The bendable design of the track housing 502 overcomes manufacturabilitychallenges by reducing the complexity of molds used for manufacturingthe track housing 502 including eliminating the need for complex,multistage molding techniques. Advantageously, the track housing 502 canbe molded with a flat, simple mold design which can decrease the cost ofmanufacturing the animal restraint 500.

The track housing 502 is adapted to flex outwardly (i.e., to expand thegap 514) when the animal restraint 500 is in the relaxed position 500 a.In some examples, the strap 506 includes one or more elements to preventthe gap 514 between distal ends 516 of the track housing 502 fromexpanding beyond a predetermined distance.

In some examples, a ring element 526 is attached to the strap 506between the slip-ring 522 and the leash attachment ring 528. The ringelement 526 prevents the slip-ring 522 from sliding past the ringelement 526 on the strap 506 to prevent the gap 514 from expandingbeyond a predetermined distance.

Alternative elements can be utilized to prevent the over-expansion ofthe gap 514 when the animal restraint 500 is in the relaxed position 500a. For example, a rivet can be attached between the slip-ring 522 andthe leash attachment ring 528 to prevent the gap 514 from expandingbeyond a predetermined distance.

FIG. 26 is a partially exploded isometric view of the animal restraint500. Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26, the impact resistant padding 504attaches to an interior surface 512 of the track housing 502. In theexamples illustrated in the figures, the impact resistant padding 504includes separate pieces of padding that each attach to the interiorsurface 512 of the track housing 502. In these examples, the impactresistant padding 504 includes a tracheal piece 504 a that attaches to acentral portion of the interior surface 512 of the track housing 502,and a pair of thyroid pieces 504 b that attach to the interior surface512 on opposite sides of the tracheal piece 504 a. The tracheal piece504 a of the impact resistant padding 504 is adapted to engage thetrachea of an animal, and the thyroid pieces 504 b are adapted to engagethe thyroids of the animal.

In alternative examples, the tracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504b are integrated together into a single piece of impact resistantpadding such that the impact resistant padding 504 is a single piece ofmaterial that attaches to the interior surface 512. In furtheralternative examples, the impact resistant padding 504 can include morethan or fewer than the three separate pieces of padding depicted in thedrawings.

Referring now to FIG. 26, the tracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces504 b each include fasteners 518 for mechanically attaching these piecesof the impact resistant padding 504 to the track housing 502. In theillustrative example depicted in FIG. 26, the fasteners 518 snap-fitinto corresponding holes 520 on the interior surface 512 of the trackhousing 502. Advantageously, the fasteners 518 enable easy replacementof the tracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504 b such as when it isdesirable to replace worn impact resistant padding 504 with new padding,or when it is desirable to adjust the thickness of the impact resistantpadding 504 to more comfortably accommodate the neck size and shape of aparticular animal.

Alternative types of fasteners may also be used to mechanically attachthe impact resistant padding 504 to the track housing 502 such as, forexample, grommets, retaining pins, attachment clips, and the like. Oneexample of another type of mechanical attachment between the trackhousing 502 and the impact resistant padding 504 is described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 33.

In some further alternative examples, in addition to or as analternative to the fasteners 518, chemical bonding is used to secure thetracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504 b to the interior surface512 of the track housing 502. In some further examples, the trachealpiece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504 b are secured to the interior surface512 of the track housing 502 with glue.

The impact resistant padding 504 is made from a compressible material.In some examples, the impact resistant padding 504 is made from amaterial having an internal grid pattern 515 that defines a plurality ofempty cells. The internal grid pattern 515 provides column buckling todisperse the pulling force on the animal restraint 500. In someexamples, the compressible material is an elastic polymer that is moldedto have the internal grid pattern 515. Additional types of compressiblematerials may be used for the impact resistant padding 504 includingfoam or gel materials.

In some examples, the compressibility of the impact resistant padding504 varies between the tracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504 b. Insome examples, the tracheal piece 504 a is less compressible than thethyroid pieces 504 b to prevent the trachea of the animal from bottomingout against the track housing 502.

In some further examples, the density of the internal grid pattern 515varies between the tracheal piece 504 a and thyroid pieces 504 b. Insome examples, the internal grid pattern 515 of the tracheal piece 504 ahas a larger density than the internal grid pattern 515 of the thyroidpieces 504 b to prevent the trachea of the animal from bottoming outagainst the track housing 502.

Additionally, the impact resistant padding 504 is shaped to increasetracheal protection and minimize choking by providing additional surfacearea for contact with the lateral neck tissue of the animal. The shapeof the impact resistant padding 504 decreases the likelihood of trachealcompression and prevents the trachea from bottoming out against thetrack housing 502 when a pulling force is applied onto the animalrestraint.

Referring now to FIG. 27, the thyroid pieces 504 b each have a contouredshape that includes at least a first angled surface 540, followed by afirst flat surface 542, a second angled surface 544, and a second flatsurface 546. In some examples, the second flat surface 546 is longerthan the first flat surface 542 to provide additional surface area forcontact with the lateral neck tissue of the animal.

The tracheal piece 504 a includes a concave shape that includes at leasta flat central surface 548, first angled surfaces 550 that extend fromopposite sides of the flat central surface 548, and second angledsurfaces 552 that extend from each of the first angled surfaces 550. Insome examples, the first angled surfaces 550 are more steeply inclinedthan the second angled surfaces 552 to prevent the trachea of the animalfrom bottoming out against the track housing 502.

As an illustrative use example, the animal restraint 500 remains in therelaxed position 500 a during loose-leash walking. When the animal pullson the leash, the animal restraint 500 transitions from the relaxedposition 500 a to the engaged position 500 b, such that thecircumference of the track housing 502 tightens around the neck of theanimal, and the impact resistant padding 504 compresses against theanatomical neck structures of the animal. Advantageously, the columnbuckling from the internal grid pattern of the impact resistant padding504 enables the impact resistant padding 504 to conform around theanimal's neck, which enables the animal restraint 500 to provide aconsistent degree of comfort for the animal regardless of the amount offorce applied by the animal when pulling on the leash attached to theanimal restraint 500.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are isometric views of the animal restraint 500 eachshowing a stop rivet 524 fixed to the strap 506. At least one stop rivet524 is attached to the strap 506 according to the neck circumference ofthe animal.

As described above, the track housing 502 includes a plurality of loops508 on the exterior surface 510. The plurality of loops 508 includes atleast one terminal loop 508 b located at an end of the plurality ofloops 508 and at least one intermediate loop 508 a positioned before theterminal loop 508 b in the plurality of loops 508. In FIG. 30, the stoprivet 524 is shown adjacent to an intermediate loop 508 a. In FIG. 31,the stop rivet 524 is shown adjacent to a terminal loop 508 b.

The intermediate loop 508 a defines an opening with a first height H1and the terminal loop 508 b defines an opening with a second height H2.The first height H1 is taller than the second height H2. The tallerheight H1 enables the stop rivet 524 to pass through the intermediateloop 508 a, whereas the shorter height H2 prevents the stop rivet 524from passing through the terminal loop 508 b.

Accordingly, the stop rivet 524 controls the sliding movement of thestrap 506 relative to the track housing 502, and also the tautness ofthe strap 506. Thus, the stop rivet 524 also controls the minimumcircumference of the track housing 502 when in the engaged positioned500 b. The placement of the stop rivet 524 on the strap 506 can beadjusted to control the degree that the strap 506 slides relative to thetrack housing 502. In some examples, the stop rivet 524 limits the strap506 from sliding relative to the track housing 502 in a range of about120 to about 180 degrees.

Different sizes for the animal restraint 500 are contemplated for safelyand comfortably accommodating a wide variety of animal neck sizes andshapes. As an illustrative example, an extra small size for the animalrestraint 500 may fit a 5-9 inch animal neck circumference, a small sizefor the animal restraint 500 may fit a 10-14 inch animal neckcircumference, a medium size for the animal restraint 500 may fit a15-20 inch animal neck circumference, a large size for the animalrestraint 500 may fit a 21-24 inch animal neck circumference, and anextra-large size for the animal restraint 500 may fit a 25-29 inchanimal neck circumference. The various sizes enable the animal restraint500 to provide a proper fit and protection for a wide variety of animalsizes.

Advantageously, the animal restraint 500 is easy to use. For example,the animal restraint 500 can be simply placed over the head and thenaround the neck of an animal. When properly sized (e.g., neckcircumference and stop rivet location), no additional adjustments orpositioning is required for the animal restraint 500.

The animal restraint 500 provides comfort with no desensitizationtraining necessary. The animal restraint 500 provides the feel of astandard collar, while the conformational shape and/or memory of thetrack housing 502 (manufactured flat with slightly curved ends) allowsfor a loose fit when loose-leash walking.

Additionally, the animal restraint 500 reduces leash entanglementbetween the legs of the walking animal. Leash entanglement is reduced bythe stationary orientation of the leash attachment ring 528 relative tothe posterolateral position of the animal's neck which reduces thedownward hanging or drooping of the leash during walking.

A further advantage of the animal restraint 500 is an increased level ofprotection from neck trauma. The impact resistant padding 504 contacts alarger surface area of an animal's neck such that the impact resistantpadding 504 improves impact resistance by dampening or distributingshock along a larger surface area. Additionally, the impact resistanceis increased at the trachea by the concave shape of the tracheal piece504 a while the contoured shape of thyroid pieces 504 b support thelateral neck tissue.

Another advantage of the animal restraint 500 is that the shape of theimpact resistant padding 504 allows one size of the animal restraint 500to fit a wide range of animal neck circumference sizes such as, forexample, a three to five inch range of animal neck circumference sizewhile maintaining full functionality.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 600 in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure. The animal restraint600 shares many features and advantages with the animal restraint 500described above with reference to FIGS. 25-31. The animal restraint 600includes a track housing 602, impact resistant padding 604, and a strap606. The impact resistant padding 604 includes a tracheal piece 604 athat attaches to an interior surface of the track housing 602, andthyroid pieces 604 b that attach to the interior surface on oppositesides of the tracheal piece 604 a.

The animal restraint 600 differs from the animal restraint 500 byincluding prongs 605 attached toward the ends of the thyroid pieces 604b. The prongs 605 are design to mimic the lateral and posterior necknipping of a mother dog during puppy rearing. The mimicked neck nippingby the prongs 605 provides a corrective measure to train puppies suchthat the prongs 605 can be used for training undesirable leash pulling.Accordingly, the prongs 605 provide a sensation that acts as a behaviormodification. In some examples, the prongs 605 are designed to have ablunt shape. In some further examples, the prongs 605 are made from aplastic material.

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of an animal restraint 700 showing amechanical attachment between a track housing 702 and an impactresistant padding 704. The interior surface 712 of the track housing 702has a groove 750 with opposing lips 752. The impact resistant padding704 includes a track 754 that having opposing edges 756. The track 754is insertable into the groove 750 to retain the opposing edges 756 bythe lips 752 in the groove 750. The opposing edges 756 are slidablealong the length of the groove 750 such that the impact resistantpadding 704 can be slotted into the groove 750 to mechanically attachthe impact resistant padding 704 to the track housing 702.

The various animal restraints described above minimize collar and leashtrauma to critical neck structures of an animal. These animal restraintscan minimize or prevent medical conditions such as trachealtrauma/collapse, thyroid gland trauma/disorder, intracranial/intraocularpressure (which can result in glaucoma, and/or other types of cerebralvascular disorders), cervical spine trauma/neuropathy (which can causecervical spine cord damage leading to neuropathy, weakness, paralysisetc.), and cervical vertebrae trauma that can lead to radiculopathy,and/or neuropathic pain/inflammation (which can be manifested by pawlicking and/or muscle weakness).

FIG. 34 is a top view of an animal restraint 3400 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the otherembodiments described above, the animal restraint 3400 can mitigatecollar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal. Advantages ofthe animal restraint 3400 can include reducing and/or eliminating theneed for molds during manufacture of the animal restraint 3400, whichcan reduce manufacturing costs of the animal restraint 3400.

The animal restraint 3400 includes a first strap 3402 that is attachedwith a second strap 3404. The first strap 3402 is made of a flexiblematerial that is configured to bend around the neck structures of ananimal. In the example shown in FIG. 34, the first strap 3402 is alayered strip of material. The layers of the first strap 3402 increasethe structural integrity of the animal restraint 3400 while maintainingflexibility. In some examples, the layers of the first strap 3402 areattached together by an adhesive, stitching, a combination of bothstitching and an adhesive, or similar techniques. In some examples, thefirst strap 3402 is made of polyester webbing, leather, thermoplasticpolyurethanes (TPU), a TPU coated polyester webbing, such as Biothane®,or similar materials.

The second strap 3404 is attached to the first strap 3402 by buckles3414 mounted on respective first and second ends 3406, 3408 of the firststrap 3402. In the example shown in FIG. 34, a first strip 3410 isattached to one side of the first strap 3402 at the first end 3406 ofthe first strap 3402, and a second strip 3412 is attached to the oneside of the first strap 3402 at a second end 3408 of the first strap3402. The first and second strips 3410, 3412 are each looped through afirst aperture 3416 of the respective buckles 3414, and are attached toan opposite side of the first strap 3402 at the first and second ends3406, 3408 respectively. In some examples, the buckles 3414 aretri-glide buckles.

The second strap 3404 includes a first strip 3420, and a second strip3422 that is attached to the first strip 3420. In this example, a firstend 3428 of the first strip 3420 is attached to the second strip 3422,and a second end 3430 of the first strip 3420 is terminated by a firstportion 3432 of a release buckle 3440. A first end 3434 of the secondstrip 3422 is attached to the first strip 3420, and a second end 3436 ofthe second strip 3422 is terminated by a second portion 3438 of therelease buckle 3440.

The second strap 3404 is of fixed length. The first and second strips3420, 3422 of the second strap 3404 are made of materials that provideminimal surface irregularity to enhance ability of the first and secondstrips 3420, 3422 to slide with minimal friction through secondapertures 3418 of the buckles 3414. As shown in the example provided inFIG. 24, the first strip 3420 is looped through a second aperture 3418of a buckle 3414, and the second strip 3422 is looped through a secondaperture 3418 of a buckle 3414 on an opposite side of the first strap3402, thereby connecting the second strap 3404 to the first strap 3402.The first and second strips 3420, 3422 can be attached together by areinforced stitch or other suitable sturdy attachment mechanism.

A ring 3424 is looped through the first strip 3420, and can slidebetween the first and second strips 3420, 3422. The ring 3424 canprovide an attachment point for attaching a leash (e.g., the leash 129shown in FIG. 12) to the animal restraint 3400. In some exampleembodiments, the ring 3424 is a D-ring or similar type of ring.

Proper anatomic positioning of the animal restraint 3400 is achieved bythe ring 3424 being able to slide between the first and second strips3420, 3422. For example, the points at which the first and second strips3420, 3422 are attached together provide stops limiting the amount ofmovement of the ring 3424 and leash. The stops permit cinching of thefirst strap 3402 prior to lateral displacement of the animal restraint3400 when an animal produces pulling tension on a leash connected to thering 3424. In some examples, the stops can provide a range of about 120degrees of lateral movement for the leash when attached to the ring3424. The ability of the ring 3424 to slide on the second strap 3404between the first and second strips 3420, 3422 can help to maintainproper anatomical positioning of impact resistant padding 3450 that isadjustably attached to an interior surface of the first strap 3402 forcushioning the neck of the animal.

The diameter of the animal restraint 3400 can expand when tension isplaced on the second strap 3404 from a pulling force applied by anattached animal, resulting in stretching of the first strap 3402.Additionally, the diameter of the animal restraint can be manuallyadjusted by changing positions of the first and second strips 3410, 3412along holes in the first strap 3402. For examples, the first and secondstrips 3410, 3412 can be adjustably secured to the first strap 3402 byusing removeable binding barrel and screws (e.g., Chicago screws),removable rivets, or ties (e.g., latigo knots), and the like.

The placement of the release buckle 3440 allows two separate functionsof the animal restraint 3400 to be provided by one component. First, therelease buckle 3440 can prevent over-tightening or over-cinching of theanimal restraint 3400 around the neck of the animal because the firstand second portions 3432, 3438 of the release buckle 3440 are unable topass through the second apertures 3418 of the buckles 3414.

Second, the first and second portions 3432, 3438 of the release buckle3440 can be released from one another to disconnect the second end 3430of the first strip 3420 from the second end 3436 of the second strip3422. In some examples, the release buckle 3440 is a side-releasebuckle. In further examples, the release buckle 3440 is a magneticclosure buckle for one-handed attachment and release of the first andsecond ends 3430, 3436 of the first and second strips 3420, 3422.

The animal restraint 3400 further includes impact resistant padding 3450that is removably attached to an interior surface of the first strap3402. The impact resistant padding 3450 can be similar to the impactresistant padding 504 in the embodiment of the animal restraint 500shown in FIG. 25 of the present application. In one embodiment, theimpact resistant padding 3450 is made of a closed-cell foam materialhaving a predetermined density. In alternative embodiments, the impactresistant padding 3450 can be made of a grid pattern column bucklingshock absorbent material.

The impact resistant padding 3450 can include separate pieces of paddingthat each attach to an interior surface of the first strap 3402. In theexample shown in FIG. 34, the impact resistant padding 3450 includestracheal pieces 3450 b, 3450 c that attach to a central portion of theinterior surface of the first strap 3402. The tracheal pieces 3450 b,3450 c are adapted to engage the trachea of an animal. The impactresistant padding 3450 can also include thyroid pieces 3450 a, 3450 dthat attach to the interior surface of the first strap 3402 on oppositesides of the tracheal pieces 3450 b, 3450 c. The thyroid pieces 3450 a,3450 d are adapted to engage the thyroids of an animal.

In alternative examples, the tracheal pieces 3450 b, 3450 c and thyroidpieces 3450 a, 3450 d can be integrated together into a single piece ofmaterial that attaches to the first strap 3402. In further examples, theimpact resistant padding 3450 can include more than or fewer than thenumber of separate pieces of padding shown in FIG. 34. Additionally, theshape, form and/or size of the impact resistant padding 3450 can varysuch that the impact resistant padding 3450 may have a thinner or lowerprofile from what is shown in FIG. 34, and may not extend as far up thesides of the first strap 3402.

The pieces of the impact resistant padding 3450 (e.g., the trachealpieces 3450 b, 3450 c and thyroid pieces 3450 a, 3450 d) are adjustablealong the interior surface of the first strap 3402 to match theanatomical structures of different animals (including breeds of certainanimals such as dogs of varying sizes). In some embodiments, such asshown in FIG. 34, the impact resistant padding 3450 is adjustablyattached to the interior surface of the first strap 3402 with one ormore hook and loop fasteners 3452.

In other embodiments, the impact resistant padding 3450 is adjustablyattached to the interior surface of the first strap 3402 by binding postbarrels (also called barrel bolts, binding bolts, and/or Chicago screws)that have a head that can be slotted or snap-fitted inside acorresponding hole on the interior surface of the first strap 3402similar to the fasteners 518 and corresponding holes 520 shown in FIG.26.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeexamples set forth herein.

What is claimed:
 1. An animal restraint for mitigating collar trauma ofan animal, the animal restraint comprising: a first strap configured tobend around a neck of the animal; impact resistant padding adjustablyattached to an interior surface of the first strap for cushioning theneck of the animal; and a second strap attached to the first strap, thesecond strap providing a lateral glide movement for a ring configuredfor attachment to a leash, the lateral glide movement maintaining properanatomical positioning of the impact resistant padding around the neckof the animal.
 2. The animal restraint of claim 1, wherein the impactresistant padding is adjustably attached to the interior surface of thefirst strap by hook and loop fasteners.
 3. The animal restraint of claim1, wherein the impact resistant padding is adjustably attached to theinterior surface of the first strap by binding post barrels.
 4. Theanimal restraint of claim 1, wherein the impact resistant paddingincludes a foam material structured for cushioning the neck of theanimal.
 5. The animal restraint of claim 1, wherein impact resistantpadding includes at least one tracheal piece adjustably attached to acentral portion of the interior surface of the first strap, the at leastone tracheal piece being structured to cushion a trachea of the animal.6. The animal restraint of claim 5, wherein impact resistant paddingincludes at least one thyroid piece adjustably attached to the interiorsurface of the first strap adjacent the at least one tracheal piece, theat least one thyroid piece being structured to cushion a thyroid of theanimal.
 7. The animal restraint of claim 1, wherein the first strap is alayered strip of material.
 8. The animal restraint of claim 1, whereinthe second strap is attached to the first strap by buckles mounted onrespective first and second ends of the first strap.
 9. The animalrestraint of claim 8, wherein the buckles are tri-glide buckles.
 10. Theanimal restraint of claim 1, wherein the second strap includes a firststrip, and a second strip attached to the first strip, the first andsecond strips defining a range for the lateral glide movement of thering on the second strap.
 11. The animal restraint of claim 10, whereinthe range for the lateral glide movement is about 120 degrees.
 12. Theanimal restraint of claim 10, wherein a first end of the first strip isattached to the second strip, and a second end of the first strip isterminated by a first portion of a release buckle, and a first end ofthe second strip is attached to the first strip, and a second end of thesecond strip is terminated by a second portion of the release buckle.13. The animal restraint of claim 12, wherein the release buckle bothprevents over-tightening of the animal restraint around the neck of theanimal, and allows disconnection of the second end of the first stripfrom the second end of the second strip.
 14. An animal restraint formitigating collar trauma to neck structures of an animal, the animalrestraint comprising: a strap including a leash attachment ring adaptedfor attachment to a leash; and impact resistant padding removablymounted to the animal restraint, the impact resistant padding beingstructured for cushioning the neck structures of the animal.
 15. Theanimal restraint of claim 14, wherein the impact resistant paddingincludes mechanical fasteners for removably attaching the impactresistant padding to the animal restraint.
 16. The animal restraint ofclaim 14, wherein the impact resistant padding is made of a foammaterial.
 17. The animal restraint of claim 14, wherein the impactresistant padding includes at least one tracheal piece, and thyroidpieces that attach on opposite sides of the tracheal piece.
 18. Animpact resistant padding for an animal restraint, the impact resistantpadding comprising: at least one tracheal piece having a mechanicalfastener for removably attaching to an interior surface of the animalrestraint, the at least one tracheal piece being structured to cushion atrachea of an animal; and thyroid pieces each having mechanicalfasteners for removably attaching to the interior surface of the animalrestraint on opposite sides of the at least one tracheal piece, thethyroid pieces being structured to cushion the thyroids of the animal.19. The impact resistant padding of claim 18, wherein the impactresistant padding includes a material structured for cushioning neckstructures of the animal.
 20. The impact resistant padding of claim 18,wherein the impact resistant padding is adjustably attached to theinterior surface by hook and loop fasteners.